210 Euston Road

This retrofit for The Office Group draws inspiration from the surrounding academic and cultural institutions, such as the British Library and the Wellcome Trust, to establish a modern-day workplace with the spirit of a civic institution. Designed by Universal, the space balances openness with structure, creating a setting that fosters collaboration, focus, and creative exchange.

Visitors enter from Euston Road into a bright, vaulted social hub that includes a café, reception, and residency space, offering a welcome pause from the street and acting as a threshold between public and private zones. To overcome the building’s depth and maximise daylight, the interior is structured around colonnades and arcades rather than corridors, preserving sightlines and allowing offices to benefit from natural light.

Throughout, timeless materials and formal furniture arrangements evoke the classic language of libraries and learning centres. The palette of creams and natural timber is enriched with deep hues like aubergine, ochre, and blue, while bold textiles and built-in elements add visual weight and longevity. Rooted in Universal’s ethos of “designing to last,” the space uses natural materials that age gracefully, creating a confident, enduring environment for work and community.